Today is the last chance to catch the annual Christmas Trees Through Time and Christmas Memories exhibit at the Bartholomew County Historical Society, 524 Third St., Columbus. The exhibit will be open from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Kids and teens
BARTHOLOMEW COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY, 536 Fifth St., Columbus. Scheduled: Library Babies, 10 and 10:30 a.m., Dec. 22, Jan. 12; Storytime, 1 p.m., Dec. 22; Teen Winter Break Read-In, 1 p.m., Dec. 22; American Sign Language chat/practice, 5:30 p.m., Dec. 22, 29; Teen Thursgame, 3:30 p.m., Dec. 29, Jan. 12; Teen Watch-It Wednesday, 10 a.m., Jan. 4, 11; Tween Game Time, 3:30 p.m., Jan. 5, 12; Disassemblers, 1:30 p.m., Jan. 7; BCPL Author Talks Presents: Namina Forna, 2 p.m., Jan. 7; Teen Pro Gamer Club, 3:30 p.m., Jan. 9; Starlit Storytime, 6 p.m., Jan. 9; Toddler Time, 10 a.m., Jan. 10; Storytime, 11 a.m., Jan. 10; Tween Watch Tuesday, 3:30 p.m., Jan. 10; Teen Trivia: Minecraft Edition, 3:30 p.m., Jan. 10; “Whatever the Weather” Storytime and Playdate, 11 a.m., Jan. 11; Storytime at the Commons, 1 p.m., Jan. 11; Afternoon Storytime, 1 p.m., Jan. 12; Teen Snowball Fight, 3:30 p.m., Jan. 13; Saturday Storytime, 11 a.m., Jan. 14.
Sports, exercise, wellness
WHOVILLE SKATE, 1 to 3 p.m., Dec. 22, Hamilton Community Center & Ice Arena, 2501 Lincoln Park Drive Columbus. Skate with the Grinch and have a magical time in Whoville! $6.50 adults, $6 ages 4-17, free for children under 4. $2 skate or scooter rental. Information: columbusparksandrec.com.
PAINT & SKATE, 10 to 11 a.m. paint time, 11 a.m. to noon ice time, Dec. 30, Hamilton Community Center & Ice Arena, 2501 Lincoln Park Drive Columbus. A fun day of painting and fun on the ice. $30 per attendee. Information: columbusparksandrec.com.
BACK TO THE ’80s, 8 p.m. to 1 a.m., Dec. 31, Hamilton Community Center & Ice Arena, 2501 Lincoln Park Drive Columbus. seventh- to 12th-graders are invited to a fun party with friends, music, games, ice skating, video games, food and drink, photo booth and prizes. Free, but registration required. Information and registration: columbusparksandrec.com.
BLACKWELL PARK STORYWALK, Blackwell Park, 1550 Whitney Court, Columbus. Enjoy some fresh air while strolling the Bartholomew County Public Library’s StoryWalk. Together with the Columbus Parks and Recreation Department, the library is excited to feature “Red and Lulu” by Matt Tavares in December and “Playing with Lanterns” by Wang Yage in January. The StoryWalk is located along the People Trail near the Pollinator Park in Blackwell Park.
SWIMMING FOR EXERCISE, Foundation for Youth, 405 Hope Ave., Columbus. Lap swimming, water aerobics and public swim are available. You must preregister for current swim sessions. Information: foundationforyouth.com.
Miscellaneous
BARTHOLOMEW COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY, 536 Fifth St., Columbus. Scheduled: American Sign Language Chat/Practice, 5:30 p.m., Dec. 22, 29; S.C.I.L.S., 6 p.m., Jan. 5; BCPL Author Talks Presents: Namina Forna, 2 p.m., Jan. 7; Adult Game Night, 5 p.m., Jan. 9; Medicare Simplified, 5:30 p.m., Jan. 9; Adult Craft Night, 5:30 p.m., Jan. 10; Companion Planting, 6 p.m., Jan. 10.
PAWS FOR A GREAT CAUSE, through Dec. 31, Bartholomew County Public Library, 536 Fifth St., Columbus. During November and December, the library will be accepting donations for local pet rescues. Cash donations will be accepted at the adult circulation desk or the children’s department (to be divided between local pet rescues). Donations are also accepted at Hope Branch. Checks must be made out to a specific pet rescue.
CHRISTMAS TREES THROUGH TIME AND CHRISTMAS MEMORIES, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., through Dec. 22, Bartholomew County Historical Society, 524 Third St., Columbus. Decorated trees, extraordinary displays and items from the permanent collection will transform the Historical Society Museum into everyone’s favorite time of year. Information: bartholomewhistory.org.
COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS MEAL, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Dec. 25, 9th Street Park, 1023 Ninth St., Columbus. The 9th Street Park Neighborhood Watch will be serving the Community Christmas Meal. There will be no dine-in. RSVPs preferred but will accept walk-ups too. You can pick up at the park or have your meal delivered by calling Chris Rutan at 812-447-2121. Donations of food and gift cards to purchase supplies are now being accepted. Volunteer drivers are needed. If any questions, please call 812-447-2121.
ELKS LODGE BINGO, 6:30 p.m. Fridays and 12:30 p.m. Sundays, Elks 521 Lodge Bingo Hall, 4664 Ray Boll Blvd., Columbus. Doors open at 5 p.m. on Friday and 11 a.m. on Sunday. The first game is at 6:30 p.m. on Friday and 12:30 p.m. on Sunday. Open to the public. Information: 812-379-4386.
VFW POST 1987 BINGO, 215 N. National Road, Columbus, Mondays and Wednesdays from 5 to 9:30 p.m. (doors open at 5 p.m.), and the second Saturday of each month from 2 to 6 p.m. (doors open at noon). Open to the public.
AMERICAN LEGION BINGO & KARAOKE, American Legion Post 25, 2515 25th St., Columbus. Bingo is on Tuesdays starting at 6 p.m. Karaoke is on Wednesdays starting at 6 p.m.
COLUMBUS CHESS CLUB, 5 to 9 p.m., Thursdays, Lewellen Chapel, corner of Middle Road and Grissom Street, Columbus. Equipment is furnished. Open to chess players 16 and older. Information: 812-603-3893.
COLUMBUS AREA RAILROAD CLUB OPEN HOUSE, noon to 4 p.m., the third Saturday of each month. Trains will be operating layouts in four scales — HO, N, O, and On30. The club is located at the Johnson County Park headquarters building adjacent to Camp Atterbury. Information: Greg Harter, 812-350-8636, columbusarearailroadclub.com, or on Facebook at Columbus Area Railroad Club.
AMERICAN SEWING GUILD NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING, 9 to 11:30 a.m., Jan. 7 and the first Saturday of each month, Bartholomew County REMC, 1697 W. Deaver Road, Columbus. Each monthly meeting focuses on learning a new sewing/creative skill or group sewing on a philanthropic project. Sewing enthusiasts of all ages and skills are welcome. Contact Marilyn at [email protected] with questions.
GRACE’S TABLE DRIVE-IN FREE MEAL, 5 p.m., the second Sunday of each month, East Columbus United Methodist Church, 2439 Indiana Ave., Columbus. Drive-in free meal as well as music and storytelling. Enter the church parking lot on Indiana Avenue. Tables are available for walk-ups.
Galleries, museums, exhibits
BARTHOLOMEW COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY, 524 Third St., Columbus. The museum is open Tuesday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. BCHS hosts two permanent exhibits that share the history and heritage of Bartholomew County. Learn about our county through interactive, hands-on exhibits that include a map table, notable people, county timeline, Then and Now, Did You Know, early industrialists and videos of Reeves steam engines. The historical society also hosts rotating exhibits throughout the year featuring items from their extensive collection. Decorated trees, extraordinary displays and items from the permanent collection will transform the museum into everyone’s favorite time of year. The Christmas Memories exhibit runs through Dec. 22. Admission is free, with a donation suggested. Information: 812-372-3541, bartholomewhistory.org.
GALLERY 506, Columbus Indiana Visitors Center, 506 Fifth St., Columbus. Open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
YELLOW TRAIL MUSEUM/VISITOR CENTER, west side of Hope Town Square, 644 Main St., Hope. The museum is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m. or by appointment. The Research Center is open Mondays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to noon or by appointment. Contact the museum at 812-546-8020. Follow the Facebook page “Yellow Trail Museum/Hope Visitors Center” for updated information.
ATTERBURY-BAKALAR AIR MUSEUM, located at Columbus Municipal Airport, 4742 Ray Boll Blvd., Columbus, is currently closed for winter upgrades. The museum will reopen in March 2023. Special tours, library access and media center programs may still be scheduled during the closed months by calling 812-372-4356. The museum preserves the history of the former Atterbury Army Air Field, later named Bakalar Air Force Base. Visit the museum online at atterburybakalarairmuseum.org and on Facebook.
T.C. STEELE STATE HISTORIC SITE, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday, 4220 T.C. Steele Road, Nashville. Staff is offering special indoor tours — each with a limited number of people. Tours are included with site admission, but preregistration is recommended by calling 812-988-2785. Information: indianamuseum.org/tcsteele.
TRI-STATE ARTISANS, 422 Washington St., Columbus. Handmade retail gallery of more than 60 local artisans. Unique gifts, fine art, art classes for youth and adults, youth art programs, art parties and home parties. Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays. Information: tsartisans.com.
JENNINGS COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND MUSEUM, 335 Brown St., Vernon. Museum hours are Wednesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. or by appointment. Information: 812-346-8989, jenningscounty.org.
BROWN COUNTY ART GUILD, 48 S. Van Buren St., Nashville. Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and noon to 4 p.m. Sundays.
THE REPUBLIC BUILDING GALLERY, 333 Second St., Columbus. The gallery is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
411 GALLERY, 411 Sixth St., Columbus. 411 is a community arts gallery and cultural space for exhibitions, events and collaborations with Columbus arts and cultural organizations. The galley is open Thursday and Friday from 12 noon to 6 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Learn more about the current exhibition and artists at artsincolumbus.org/411.
HOOSIER ARTIST GALLERY, 45 S. Jefferson St., Nashville. Hoosier Artist Gallery is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Information: hoosierartist.com.
BROWN COUNTY ART GALLERY, 1 Artist Drive, Nashville. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. COVID-19 protocols are in place, with masks required. Information: 812-988-4609, [email protected], browncountyartgallery.org.
CHARLENE MARSH STUDIO & GALLERY, 4013 Lanam Ridge Road, Nashville. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Mondays, noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. For more information, please call the studio/gallery at 812-988-4497 or visit charlenemarshstudio.com.
Ongoing
FABULOUS FIRST FRIDAYS WITH MISS POLLY, 12:15 p.m. Jan. 6 and the first Friday of each month. Viewpoint Books, 548 Washington St., Columbus. Information: 812-376-0778.
FOUNDATION FOR YOUTH BOYS & GIRLS CLUB, 405 Hope Ave., Columbus. The Boys & Girls Club is open to children ages 5-18. Information: 812-372-7867.
KIDSCOMMONS, 309 Washington St., Columbus. Ongoing activities are all free with museum admission. Information: 812-378-3046.
